Folding table



March 14, 1933. J. KOVATS 1,901,105

FOLDING TABLE Filed Feb. 28, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l March 14, 1933. J KOVATS 1,901,105

FOLDING TABLE Filed Feb. 28, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5'8 9 55' 5'3 6'0 29 i I J i I i n H I] filuml T 'lllllll J. KOVATS March 14, 1933.

FOLDING TABLE 5 Sheet s-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 28, 1930 Patented Mar. 14, 1933 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE A JOHN KOVATS, OF FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT, ASBIGNOR TO THE LEG-O-MATIC COK- IPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT FOLDING TABLE Application filed February 28, 1980. Serial No. 482,069.

This invention relates to a table, particularly the means for mounting the supporting le s of the table, and has for an ob ect to provi e improved means for so connecting the supporting legs to the table that they may all be folded against the under side of the table and are connected by. improved mechanism so that the swinging of any one leg to or from the extended or supporting position will impart a similar movement to each of the other legs.

It is also an object of this invention to rovide a construction in which there is a yielding means connected to the leg connectmg mechanism which will resist the initial movement of the legs in either direction and will then assist or complete the final movement of the legs to either the folded or the extended position, and will further serve to hold the legs when in folded position.

It is another object of this invention to provide a construction in which although all the legs may be swung to or from extended or folded position by swinging any individual leg on its pivot, still the legs are rigidly simultaneously locked in the supporting position to provide a rigid support for the table.

A still further ob ect of this invention is to provide an improved pivoting leg holder and to provide means for bracing the pivotal ears thereon.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a construction of this character in which substantially the entire structure may be stamped from sheet metal and may be manufactured and assembled at relatively low cost.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this inventlon consists in .certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangements of parts as will be more fully disclosed in connection with the accompanying drawings.

n these drawings Fig. 1 is a bottom plan'view of one embodiment of this invention showing the table legs folded against the under side thereof.

Fig. 2 is an end view on a larger scale of one corner of the table, the leg being in extendedposit-ion.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the under side of the corner shown in Fig. 2.

F ig; 4 is a section on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but with i Fig. 10 is a bottom plan View on a smaller scale of one side of a table showing still another embodiment of this invention.

11 is a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 10. gig. 12 1s a section on line 12-12 of Fig. 11, an

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are plan, side and top views of a holder for the table leg.

This invention is adapted for tables of various types, but is especially intended for use on what are commonly known as card tables in which, the legs are foldable against the under side of the table top, so that the table may be folded into a small space and put away into a closet or other suitable space when not in use, and the invention is, therefore, shown in the drawings as applied to thistype of table. The table top is shown at 12 which, of course, may be of any suitable material such as wood or fibre board and may be finished on the top or covered with any suitable cover as is found desirable. Secured to the under side of this top of the table and extending about the periphery thereof are. mounted wooden bars forming a flange 13 to strengthen and stiffen the table top and assist in preventing warping. The table' shown is a substantiall square or rectangular table and is, there ore, provided with a supporting leg 14 at each corner. These legs are each pivoted to the table so as to fold or swing against the under side thereof and they are all mounted the bar or flange 13 when they are folded against the under side of the table top. As the means for mounting each is the same as that for mounting each of the other legs, one set of dies may be used for making all the mountings and they are, therefore, each interchangeable and but one of them will be described.

The legs 14 are substantially square in cross section but, of course, may be of any shape desired. The upper end of each leg is secured in a holder, 15 which is made of sheet metal and is substantially U-shape in cross section to receive the upper end of the leg and, therefore, embraces it on three sides and it is preferably secured thereto by a bolt or screw passing through the countersunk opening 16. This holder 15, as shown in detail in Figs. 13, 14 and 15, comprises a sheet metal member 17 having a pair of flanges 18 and 19 formed on the sldes so as to embrace the top of the le s. The sheet metal member 17 is widened a ove the top of the leg at 20 and the flanges are extended along the widened portion 20 to form ears 21 and 22. The top end of portion 20 is bent over and forms a brace 23 to extend between the ears 21 and 22 to brace them apart. A bracket 24 secured in the inside of the corner formed by the bars or flange 13 is fastened to flange 13 by screws 25 or the like passing through ap-' propriate' openings. This bracket 24 comprises a right angle metal member of suitable gauge fitting the corner, and one arm 26 has lug 27 struck at right angles therefrom so as to be parallel to the other arm 28 and rivets 29 passed through ears 21 and 22 of holder 15 and lug 27 and arm 28 form pivots on which the leg 14 may be extended into sup porting position or folded into closed position. Due to the widened portion 20 and the brace 23-between the ears, 21 and-22, and to the fact that the flange 19 is continued along the edge to the ear 22, the portion 30 being recessed as shown to permit the holder to be formed from a sheet metal blank, there is no danger of the leg 14 collapsing in the wrong direction and hence, no. additional brace is necessary.

Mounted on the under side of the table top 12 adjacent each leg 14 as by screws 31 is a plate 32 providing a pivot 33 for a bell crank 34. Pivoted on each arm of the crank 34 is a strap or link member 35 preferably rigid, whose other end is similarly pivoted to the similar link or crank 34 mounted near the next corner of the table, so that there are four cranks and four straps or links, or one for each leg or side of the table and these four cranks and straps or links form an endless train; and movement of any one strap will -impart, through the means of the cranks, similar movement to each of the other straps, the amount of movement being limited by structure about to be described.

Aflixed to inner side of bar or flange 13 by screws25 in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, adjacent arm 28of bracket 24 and abutting and connected to this arm by a T-joint 36, is a guide plate 37 made of suitable gauge metal similar to that of which the bracket is formed. This plate has a laterally pressed longitudinally extending rib portion 38 in which is provided a guide slot 39. At the end adjacent the bracket this plate has a downwardly extending ear to which is pivoted at 40 a brace 41 for the leg 14. This brace 41 has a hook shaped slot 42 therein comprisin a short hook or notch portion 43 exten ing transversely of the brace and a longitudinal portion 44 forming an acute angle therewith, the inner side of the hook portion 43 forming a shoulder 45. Affixed to the-holder 15 and riding in slot 42 is a shouldered stud 46. Pivoted to the other end of brace 41 on the other side of pivot 40 is a link or connecting bar 47. The other end of link 47 being pivotally connected to a block 48. This block 48 has a pair of shouldered studs 49 projecting through guide slot 39 of bar 37, one of these studs 49 also serving as the pivotal connection to link 47 This block 48 has a flange 50 projecting at right angles thereto, there being a slot 51 formed therein into which passes a stud 52 aflixed to the strap or link 35.

A spring 53 is preferably connected to one or more of the bell cranks 34 and to the under side of the table so that it crosses the pivotal center 33 of the crank as the train of straps move from one limit of its movement to the other. This spring will act as a load-and-fire device to yieldingly resist the initial movement of the bell crank about its center until the spring passes over the center 33, whereupon it will assist or complete the final movement, in either direction, and furthermore, will act to yieldingly hold the crank in position at the limit of its movement, and thus will hold the legs in either the extended or folded position. As is apparent, a single spring 53 may be used on the table, or a spring 53 may be supplied to two or more of the cranks.

0perati0n.It will be apparent from the foregoing description, that when a leg 14 is swung about its pivots from the folded osition, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, to a position at right angles to t the supporting position as shown in Figs. 2

and 3, this action will swing the brace 41 e table top, or that is,

and swing brace 41 about its pivot 40, this movement being counter-clockwise, as viewed in Figf 2. This movement will cause the other end of brace 41 to move the link 47 6 away from the corner toward the left, and

link 47 will push block 48tow'ard the other end of the guide slot 39. The flange 50 of block 48 will thus similarly move to the left and through the medium of the slot and pin connection 51 and 52 to strap or link 35 cause the strap or link to move a similar distance to the left, and the movement of strap 35 will swing the bell crank 34 about its pivot 33 counterclockwise to the position shown in Fig. 2. This movement of the .strap 35 and bell crank 34 will causeall the other straps 35 or links and cranks 34 to move the same distance in the same direction as they all form part of an interconnected train, as de-- scribed above, and their movement is limited by the distance that block 48 can move within its guide slot 39 in plate 37. Also,'the initial movement of the train will be'resisted by the spring or springs 53 .until the springs pass the pivotal center 33 of the cranks whereupon the springs may be suflicient to give the final movement to the train to its limit.

Inasmuch as each cornerof the table is provided with a leg and bracing mechanism identical with that just described, it is apparent that the just described operation will take place whichever leg is being operated. The movement of the train of straps will, through their pin and slot connections cause each of the other blocks 48 to move in an identical manner with that of the leg being operated, and thus, through links 47, swing the braces 41 about pivots 40 and throug the medium of studs 46 riding in slots 44 swing all the other legs tomove about their pivots in a similar manner. When the stud 46 reaches the end of its travel in slot 44, the leg 14 will be in upright or extended position. Brace 41 will then be pressed in a counter clockwise direction by the spring actuated train so as to cause the stud 46 to enter the short slot or notch 43 and cause the shoulder 45 to abut or rest on stud 46. This movement of brace 41 will, through the train of straps or links 35, cause the other braces to move in an identical manner, and the legs 14 are thus all simultaneously and individually automatically locked and'braced against movement in any direction, for it cannot reverse its direction of movement due to the shoulder 45 now abutting on stud 46.

To unlock and-fold all the legs to the' position shown in Fig. 1, any brace 41 is manually pressed in a down or clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2 against the action of the springs so that stud 46 will be removed from notch or slot 43 to the slot 44. This will pivot the brace 41 slightly about its pivot 40 and this will, through the train of straps or links 35, cause each other brace 41 to likewise release the stud 46 from its notch 44. The leg 14 is then folded about its pivots until the springs have passed the centers of the cranks, and through stud 46 riding in slot 44 and turning brace 41 about pivot 40, the other braces will similarly fold the other legs in the same direction, whereupon the springs will either complete or assist in completing the closing of the legs to folded position, and thus the folding of one leg to the closed position will thus fold all the legs to the closed position. As will be apparent, the springs will also serve to hold the legs in folded position, thus preventing the legs from accidentally opening while the table 1s being carried to and from the place it is stored when not.in use- The embodiment of this invention shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, diflers slightly in detail from that above described, but is substantially identical in principle and opera tion therewith. In this embodiment, instead of the guide plate 37 and slot 39 therein, a guide bar or plate 55 is provided forming a part ,of or connected to arm 28 by a T-joint 36 and is li wise aflixed to the inner side of bar or flan e 13. The flange 50 forms part of a block 5 the block having a guide slot 57 formed therein through which passes a guide stud 58 aflixed in plate 55. This block 56, instead of being connected to the leg brace by a link as in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, has a toothed extension forming a rack 59, and this rack 59 is designed to mesh with a gear segment 60 formed on the end of the leg brace 61 which is pivoted as at 62. This pivot 62 is afiixed to plate 55 and also extends through a folded over projection on plate 55 which with the opposite portion of plate 55 forms a guide sleeve 63 for both the rack 59 and gear segment 60, and this guide sleeve may be continued along the length of the plate 55 as a folded over flange 64 as shown. The leg brace 61 has the slot 43 cooperating with the stud 46 on leg 14in an identical manner as that in the first described embodiment, and it is apparent that the gear 60 and rack 59 will transmit movement to and from the legs 14 and train of straps or Ilinks'35'in the same manner as in the first described embodiment. Thus, to open the legs to extended position, any leg 14 1s rotated about its pivots until, through the medium of gear 60 and rack 59, the block 56, through its flange 50 moves the train of straps 35 until the springor springs 53 cross the pivotal center 33 of the bell cranks 34 and then these springs will assist or complete the movement to move the braces 61 until the studs 46 on legs 14 are automatically locked in slots or notches 43. Similarly, to close the legs to folded position, any brace 61 is manually pressed in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7 to unseat the stud 46 from notch 43 into slot 44, which actlon through the train of straps 35 causes the other braces 61 to be simultaneously moved to the unlocked position, whereupon the 1c is then moved about its pivot until the sprlngs 53 cross the 5 center of the cranks 34, and then the springs complete the closing movement and then hold the legs in folded position.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 10 11 and 12, some of the detailsare again di erent. In this embodiment a guide plate is secured to the inner side of bar or flange 13 and has a T-joint connection 36 with the bracket arm 28 or it may be in one piece with it. This guide plate 70 has a laterally pressed longitudinally extending rib portion in which is provided a guide slot 71. At the end adjacent the leg this slot has a downwardly extending portion 72 running into an upward extending portion 73 at this end of the slot and the upper edge of the slot is formed into a flat 74 between the portions 72 and 73. Mounted to slide along this guide late 70 is a block 7 5 which maybe a simple at piece of metal having a flange 76 at right angles thereto, the use of which will become apparent presently. The block carriesvshouldered studs 77 extending throu h slot 71 and.

these studs guide the block 75 or longitudinal movement along the guide plate 70.

To one of the studs 77 there is pivoted a link 78 and the other end of the link is pivoted by means of a similar stud 79 to a brace 80 which brace is pivoted at its opposite end The stud 79 is also shouldered and is guided for longitudinal movement in the slot 71.

As will be observed from the drawings, the slot 71 is of substantially greater length than the slot 39 in the embodiment first described in order to permit the block 75 to slide the greater distance necessary as a result of brace 80 being pivotally connected to the leg at 81. For this same reason, the train of straps or links is also somewhat modified to permit it to move through this greater distance. Mounted on the pivots 33 of the plates 32 are bell cranks 82 each of which has each arm pivotally connected to one end of a strap member 83, thus forming straps 35 above described. One or more springs 84 are connected to one or more. of the cranks82 so as to pass across the center 33 and function'the same as springs 53 to 65 from any block 75 to each of the other blocks 'ually presse to the holder15 or the leg at the point 81.

a train of straps 83 similar to the train of hold the train at either end of its movement 75. To open the leg 14 of this embodiment to extended position, it is only necessary to grasp any one leg and move it about its pivots until it has,'through the medium of brace 80, link 78 and block 75, moved the train of straps 83 until springs 84 have crossed the pivotal center 33 of cranks 82. The springs 84 will then move the train to its limit, thus moving block 75 to push link 78 and brace 80 to openthe leg. The stud 79 will ride down slot 72 and up slot 73, the final position, and then hold the leg securely braced, for while stud 79 isat the upper end of slot 73, where it is held by the action of spring 84 as well as b friction, any tendency of leg 14 to rotate a out its pivots to closed position would only tend to press stud 79 up against the top of slot 73, for it will be noted the brace 80 extends substantially at right angles to the direction of the slot 73 when the legs are in extended ,or supporting position, and thus the legs are automatically and securely locked in extended position by the mere act of drawing any one leg from closed to extended position. To unlock and close the legs, the brace 80 of any leg is manually pressed against the action of spring 84 down the slot 73 until stud 79 abuts against the flat 74. At the same time, each of the other braces 80 will be caused to move to their respective flats 74 through the action of the trainof stra s 83. The leg 14 is then mantoward the closed position, causing it to fold about its pivots, and the stud 79 to ride off flat 74 and up slot 72 into and aloiig slot 71. The other legs will simultaneously perform this same act through the medium of the train 83. The leg is moved about its pivots toward the folded position until the spring 84 crosses the center 33 whereupon the legs will be snapped to folded position and yieldingly held in folded position until such time as they are again opened in the manner just described.

Thus, it will be seen that this invention provides a table in which the legs are open and closed by the operation of any one leg, and that the'legsare automatically and simultaneously positively locked in extended position, and may besimultaneously unlocked by the unlocking of any leg. Further, it will be seen that the legs are also yieldinglyheld in folded position to hold them against accidentally opening while not m use.

Although the preferred form of the invention'uses the' springs 53 or 84 on the bell Cranks,- it will be noted that these springs could be omitted, and that the leg being used to operate the opening and closin could then be manually moved to either t e open or closed position to simultaneously operate the other 1 In this case, once the braces are in the ocking position, they would be frictionally held securely in place until such the legs.

ill

till

time as they are manually moved to unlock Having thus set forth and described invention, what is claimed is: I

1. In a table, a plurality of" supporting legs pivoted to the table and foldable against it, linked rigid pivoted means for'connecting the legs with each other so that movement of any leg will give similar movement to the other legs, and an individual locking means for eacli leg for holding said connecting means against movement when the legs are in supporting position.

2. In a table, a pluralit of supporting legs pivoted to the table an foldable against it, and linked rigid pivoted means connecting all the legs so that operation of. any leg on its pivot will impart similar movement to all the other le s, said means comprising a train including a ell crank lever adjacent each leg, links connecting the bell crank levers, and op erating connections from the train to there spective legs.

3. In a table, a plurality of supporting legs pivoted to the table on individual pivots arranged so that all'the legs fold in the same direction with respect to the periphery of the table, and linked rigid strap connections between the legs capable of transmitting similar movement from any leg to each of the other legs to extend the legs to supporting position or told them against the table, said connections comprising a train including a bell crank lever adjacent each leg, links connecting the bell crank levers, and operating connections from the train to the respective i In a table, a plurality of supporting legs pivoted to the table so as to fold against it, means connecting all of the legs so that operation of any leg on its pivot to or from folded or extended position will impart similar movement to all the other legs, and a yielding means connected to said connecting means to yieldinglyresist the initial movement of the legs in either direction and to then assist or complete the final movement.

5. In a table, a plurality of sup orting legs pivoted to the table so as to fol against it, means connecting allot the legs so that operation of an leg on its pivot to or from folded or exten ed position will impart similar movement to all the other legs, a yielding means connected to said connecting means to ieldingly resist the initial movement of the legs in either direction .and to then assist or complete the final movement. and an individual locking means'lor each leg operated by said connecting means to lock the legs in extended position, said yielding means also serving to hold the legs in foldedposition;

6. In a table, a plurality of supporting legs pivoted to the table on individual pivots and each capable of being folded against the under side of the table, and a movable eonthis 7. In a table, a plurality of supporting legs pivoted to the table so as to fold against it, an operating train including bell cranks pivotally mounted on'the table for movement in the lane of the table top, strap members pivota 1y interconnected by said bell cranks, and connections from said train to the respective legs to swing them on their pivots by movement of said linked' members.

8. Ina table, a plurality ofsup orting legs pivoted to the table so as to fol a ainst 1t, bell cranks pivotally mounted on t e table, strap members pivotally interconnected by said bell cranks and a pivoted brace connection connected to each strap member and to each leg so that movement of any leg to or from folded or extended position transmits similar movements to all the other legs.

9. In a table, a plurality of su porting le pivoted to-the table so as to fold against 1t, bell cranks pivotally mounted on the table, strap members pivotally interconnected by said bell cranks and a pivoted brace con-.

or from folded or extended position transmits similar movements to all the other legs, spring means connected to a bell crank, said sprin means serving to yieldingly resist the initia movement of the legs from either folded or extended position, and to complete the final movement of the legs to either extended or folded position.

10. In a table, a plurality of supporting legs pivoted to the table so as to fol a must it a guide secured to the table on eac side 0 the table, a block'slidably guided in said guide, interconnected rigid straps pivotally molinted on the table, each strap being connected to one of said blocks, and a brace linked to eachblock and connected to each leg whereby movement of any one brace and its leg imparts similar movement to all the other braces and their legs.

11. In a substantially rectangular table, asupporting leg ivoteol adjacent each corner nection connected to each of the legs and capable of transmittin ide, a rigid strap member connected to can block, each strap member being pivotally linked to the other strap members, a pivoted brace connected'to each leg and linked to said block, whereby movement of any one leg imparts similar movement to each of the otherlegs 12. In a table, a plurality of supporting legs pivoted to the ta lo and foldable against it, means for bracing the legs and for conment oi any one bracing means and its leg will impart similar movement to the other bracing means and their corresponding legs including a train of strap members connected by pivoted bell cranks and a movable block adjacent each leg and connected to the bracing means, each movable block being also connected to said train.

13. In a table, a plurality of'supporting legs pivoted to the table and foldable against it, means for bracingthe legs and for connecting them with each other so that movement of any one bracing means and its leg will impart similar. movement to the other bracing means and their corresponding legs including a train of strap members connected .by pivoted bell cranks and a movable block adjacent each leg and connected to the bracing means, each movable block being also connected to said train, said bell cranks'being pivotally mounted on the table adjacent each corner and pivoted to the strap members, and a spring connected to a bell crank to resist the initial movement of the train and to complete the final movement.

14. In a table, a plurality of. supporting legs pivoted to the table and foldable against it, means for connecting the legs with each other so that movement of any leg will give similar movement to the other legs, said means comprisin pivoted bracing means connected to each eg and to a'train of straps, said train comprising one strap for each leg and a bell crank pivotally mounted on the table and linking the adjacent straps together.

15. In a table, a' lurality of supporting legs pivoted to the ta 1e and foldable against it, means for connecting the legs with each other so that movement of any leg will give similar movement to the other legs, said means comprising pivoted bracing means' connected to each leg and to a train of straps, said train comprising one strap for each leg and a bell crank pivotally mounted on the table and linking t e adjacent straps together a spring connected to the table and to one of said bell cranks and yieldably holding said crank at either extreme of its'movement, the spring passing across the pivotal center of said crank as the legsare moved so as to yieldably resist initial movement of the leg and to complete the final movement of the legs in either direction. 1

16. In a table, a bracket secured to the table, a supportingleg, a holder comprising a 'sheet metal me'mber adapted to be secured to one side of the leg and having flanges at its edges embracing opposite sides of said leg, a

widened portion of said member extending above the top of said leg, said flanges extending above said leg and at the edges of said s widened portion and forming ears whereby to pivot sai leg to said. b acket, part of said widened portion being bent down between said ears to brace them 9. art.

17. In a table, a supporting leg pivoted adjacent each corner and adapted to fold against the table, a guide mounted adjacent each corner of the table, a block slidably retained by said guide, said block including a portion having rack teeth thereon, a rigld strap member connected to'each block, each strap member pivotally linked to the other strap members, a pivoted brace connected to each leg and having a segmental tooth portion engaging the rack teeth of the block, whereby movement of any one leg imparts similar movement to each of the other legs.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

JOHN KOVATS. 

